What is the Census?
- The census is a count of everyone living in the United States every 10 years.
- The census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution.
- Your participation in the census is required by law. It takes less than 10 minutes to complete.
- Federal law protects the personal information you share during the census.
- Census data are used to distribute Congressional seats to states, to make decisions about what community services to provide, and to distribute $300 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year
Why is the Census Important?
Census affects funding in your community Census data directly affect how more than $300 billion per year in federal and state funding is allocated to communities for neighborhood improvements, public health, education, transportation and much more. That's more than $3 trillion over a 10-year period. Spending just a few minutes to fill out your census form will help ensure your community gets its fair share of federal and state funding.
Census affects your voice in Congress Mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the census is also used to apportion seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and to redistrict state legislatures.
Census affects your representation in state and local government
Census data are used to define legislature districts, school district assignment areas and other important functional areas of government.
Census informs your community's decisions The census is like a snapshot that helps define who we are as a nation. Data about changes in your community are crucial to many planning decisions, such as where to provide services for the elderly, where to build new roads and schools, or where to locate job training centers.
For more information about the upcoming 2010 Census and its importance to you visit the Census website -
http://2010.census.gov/2010census/
